Shoaib’s delayed hearing may cost him Bangladesh series

Lahore, March 27 (IANS) A delayed hearing in the disciplinary case against Shoaib Akhtar by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) can cost the controversial speedster his place in the side for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh, the media here reported. Akhtar is facing a disciplinary charge for criticising the PCB in public as well as breach of code of conduct about two months ago.

The PCB governing board’s disciplinary committee, headed by Munir Hafeez, has not heard the case during the two-month period.

The committee has now summoned Shoaib to appear before it in Rawalpindi April 1 while the national selection committee is to meet in Lahore March 29 to announce the team for the series against Bangladesh, which commences from April 8, according to a report in The Dawn.

An earlier attempt to hold the disciplinary committee meeting March 22 failed as Shoaib was informed barely two hours before the start of the meeting.

Meanwhile, Shoaib has said that he is ready to play against Bangladesh.

“I want to double my wicket tally to over 400 in both Tests and the one-dayers and am keen to serve my country at all times,” he said in a statement.